Arlington grandma's brutal murder remains unsolved 5 years later

ARLINGTON, Texas - A crime that outraged the Arlington community in 2013 still remains unsolved.

A carjacker attacked an 83-year-old great grandmother in her driveway, murdered her and dumped her body. Five years later, Arlington police still need help from the public. They want people to take another look at a sketch of the suspect.

Leona Swafford’s abduction and murder on June 4, 2013, remains unsolved. The great-grandmother was returning home with donuts when police say she was carjacked in the driveway of her Arlington home on Sussex Drive near Vandergriff Park.

Detectives say Swafford fought back, but her body was found was a short time later roughly two miles away in the 1900 block of Kimberly in East Arlington. She had been beaten, shot to death and dumped.

"We need someone with information to come forward and help us with the final piece of the puzzle,” said Arlington Police Det. Grant Gildon.

Police only have a vague description of the suspect from witnesses who briefly saw him driving away from Swafford's home. He is being described as a black male in his 20s or 30s who is possibly fairly well built, and muscular. Police believe he had knowledge of the area."

Swafford's car was found near New York Ave and Pioneer Parkway in East Arlington. Police believe the attacker would not have gone there accidentally.

Even five years later, Detective Gildon is convinced someone knows something that could help.

Judy Mitchell says her mother was smart, selfless, kind and loving. She's hoping and praying that someone who knows something about will come forward.

"She was not your typical 83-year-old,” Mitchell said. “If it were your mom, if it were your wife or relative, would you not come forward with some information?"

There is a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of the man responsible for Swafford's murder. Police say you can remain anonymous.